All categories - 10 January 2007

2007-01-10 22:35:02 · 3 answers · asked by pop eye 3 in Words & Wordplay

Why do orientals have slanted eyes? We can relate as to why some cultures have darker or lighter skin, why some are smaller or larger than other cultures but why do orientals have slanted eyes? I have looked on the net but never found an answer to this.

2007-01-10 22:34:37 · 6 answers · asked by jrtoyboy 3 in Other - Cultures & Groups

2007-01-10 22:34:23 · 2 answers · asked by hispano_croata( VISCA EL BARCA ) 5 in Air Travel

MY QUESTION IS THAT AFTER READING THAT STORY OF THE MAN WHO EMBRACED ISLAM DID U'R OPINION ABOUT ISLAM CHANGED
I WANT NOT U PEOPLE TO READ THIS STORY BY A CONSERVATIVE MIND BUT AN OPEN MIND!

Sheikh Yusuf Estes


Yusaf Estes is a prominent Scholar who travels around the Globe Spreading the message of God, he also distributes video and audio lectures. Below is a very interesting short autobiography of how he converted from a Christian Preacher to a Muslim Chaplin, Yusuf Estes has written a short biography of himself and published it on his website http://www.islamtomorrow.com and www.islamtoday.com.


"My name is Yusuf Estes and I am the National Muslim Chaplain for American Muslims, sponsored by a number of organizations here in Washington, DC. As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside of rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Most of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" (Arabic = 'Islam').
Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself, I was trying to give a bit of background on my own personal experience to see if it would in anyway benefit you in your ministry. This may seem quite strange that I would offer to help you, while we perhaps share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophet hood, sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as you. Really, I was. Let me explain.
I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family


Christian Musician Minister - 1988
and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I'm old). We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question.
Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes Music Studios."
Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. I made millions of dollars in those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation. I'm sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in 'original sin?" and "Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his 'sins' and then as a result be punished forever. But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a 'mystery' and you shouldn't ask.
And then there is the concept of the 'Trinity.' If I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how 'one' could figure out to become 'three' or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people's sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people. Keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it.
Then one day in 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that's not all, they believe in Jesus as:
* a true messenger of God;
* prophet of God;
* miracle birth without human intervention;
* he was the 'Christ' or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;
* he is with God now and most important;
* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the 'Antichrist.'
This was too much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything to do with these people?
My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower" in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.
Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording "Praise" tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly. And then in 1991 he began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that. Then my father mentioned that this man was a 'Moslem.'
I couldn't believe my ears.
A 'Moslem?'
No way!
I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people, how they are -
Terrorists; hijackers; kidnappers; bombers and who knows what else?
Not only that but:
They don't believe in God
They kiss the ground five times a day and
They worship a black box in the desert.
No!
I did not want to meet this 'Moslem' man. No way!
My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting.
But on my terms.
I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the 'Moslems.'
When I came into the shop and asked my father where the 'Moslem' was, he pointed and said: "He's right over there."
I was confused. That couldn't be the Moslem. No way.
I'm looking for a huge man with flowing robes and big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead.
This man had no beard. In fact, he didn't even have any hair on his head at all. He was very close to bald. And he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This didn't make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers. What is this all about?
Never mind. I'll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be 'saved' and me and the Lord are going to do it.
So, after a quick introduction, I asked him:
"Do you believe in God?"
He said:
"Yes."
(Good!)
Then I said:
"Do you believe in Adam and Eve?"
He said:
"Yes."
I said: "What about Abraham? You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?"
He said:
"Yes."
Then I asked:
"What about Moses?"
"Ten Commandments?"
"Parting the Red Sea?"
Again he said:
"Yes."
Then:
"What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?"
He said:
"Yes."
I asked:
"Do you believe in the Bible?"
Again, he said:
"Yes."
So, now it was time for the big question:
"Do you believe in Jesus? That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?"
Again the said:
"Yes."
Well now:
"This was going to be easier than I had thought."
He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn't know it.
And I was just the one to do it, too.
I was winning souls to the Lord day after day and this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these 'Moslems' and 'convert' him to Christianity.
I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs.
While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked this man's way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian.
Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.
First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.
One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.
Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas -- Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.
One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn't matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.
I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life. So, I began to 'witness' to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way. Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea. A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship. A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights. Yet because of God's Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh. And the idea was that we can't really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.
After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don't handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew that. In fact, he said: "I am a Catholic priest."
I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest. What in the world was happening here?
The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York's 'Hell's Kitchen.' When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.
During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more to come.
After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion. My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart's 'Good News For Modern Man." The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible. So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.
At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years. He told me that there was only ONE QURAN. And that it had never been changed. Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people, in it's entirety and were scattered about the earth in many different countries. Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes.
This did not seem possible to me. After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years. So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.
Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there. They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn't really 'do' anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said: "They left? Without any speeches or singing?" He said that was right.
A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did. But this time it was different. They did not come back for a very long time. It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them. Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap. Hold on a minute! It was the priest. I said to him: "Pete? -- Did you become a 'Moslem?'
He said that he had entered into Islam that very day. THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next? (You'll see).
So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject. She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth. I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion. We walked and talked that whole night through. By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part. I went out back behind my father's house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.
Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: "O God. If you are there, guide me, guide me." And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn't see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop lying and cheating and doing sneaky business deals. It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do. So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was 'washing' away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth

2007-01-10 22:34:22 · 8 answers · asked by Ayesha K 1 in Polls & Surveys

i cooked fish in my oven and cant get rid of the smell of fish its puttin me off from cooking anything in the oven can any1 help

2007-01-10 22:34:22 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cleaning & Laundry

I am currently using a Nokia Phone which is unblocked.
Is it possible to purchase a devise so that two seperate sim cards can be used on the same phone

2007-01-10 22:34:21 · 6 answers · asked by poole007uk 1 in Cell Phones & Plans

I know around ovulation you should have a egg white discharge but i just cant work this out my mucus is always clear i havent noticed the change?could this mean im not ovulating?and sounds horrible but could someone beter describe the mucus to me?

2007-01-10 22:34:05 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Trying to Conceive

2007-01-10 22:34:04 · 3 answers · asked by pete s 1 in Friends

Hi, i am a 16 year old asian girl. I am about 1.72 m and i weigh 88 kg!!! I am sick and tired of dieting and exercising, trying to lose weight. I try to eat healthy and exercise, but nothing's happening. I used to be at acceptable weight, but now, i dont understand why. sometimes, i eat very lightly for dinner or i don eat at all. I am quite active : I play badminton, do sit-ups, and am almost always on the move. Whats wrong with me ?? I plan to take a weight loss tablets. Which kind should i use ?? tnx-

2007-01-10 22:33:58 · 40 answers · asked by rOwena 2 in Diet & Fitness

2007-01-10 22:33:31 · 13 answers · asked by kelly g 1 in Pregnancy

every time I go to loo in my house either my hubby or son has the floor soaked,the seat either dribbled on or left up,no amount of asking them to stop it works,Is it maybe an animal thing like marking their territory?If anyone knows why males do this it would be interesting,I need a cure for it or I am going to get revenge by peeing in their cars

2007-01-10 22:33:28 · 35 answers · asked by IRENE S 2 in Do It Yourself (DIY)

i have low self esteem issues and lack of confidence ithink i look worse than the elephant man can you help me i have been called ugly and freak show and have had isults of kids in the street due tp my facial appearance i was also sexually abused as a kid thus giving me no confidence i really think im facial disfigurede due to past peoples comments etc can you visit me on uglynet to put me out of my mind serious answers please ive already tried to end my life due to how i look im not fishing for compliments i just need some help with the way i look i really think i look worse than the elephant man josph merrick some say i have body dysmorphia disorder but what i see in the mirror is true to me thanks kathy my name is uglywoman on uglynet

2007-01-10 22:33:24 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Mental Health

2007-01-10 22:33:07 · 1 answers · asked by gorda 1 in Diet & Fitness

yes, this may sound silly, but i just recently saw a cloud this evening that was in the shape of a dragon. the head was very clear, i could see it's eyes and it's nose had a point to it - hard to describe but it wasn't like a beak of a bird but was verticle, not horozontal. anyways, the neck was in an "s" shape and i could see only part of the body. it had something that looked like wings but i couldn't see them very clearly. on an added note, as the cloud was moving, as crazy as this was, it looked as though there would have been smoke coming from it's mouth. very odd, but interested in anyone who may have an idea on the meaning behind it.

2007-01-10 22:33:05 · 7 answers · asked by Shakti Svātantrya Isa 4 in Religion & Spirituality

We keep being told we have to have them because they are essential for our security, but no-one ever explained how. Do you know?!

2007-01-10 22:33:02 · 17 answers · asked by Buck Flair 4 in Current Events

Is the fact that the overwhelming majority of the American public is against our invasion of Iraq what's really bugging the right wing of the conservative movement? Is it also that the American public is on to their arrogant/bigoted attitude, along with the incompetence of the Bush administration? Is it because they have become a marginalized minority and they are just knashing their teeth. Is it because Bush has thrown a 'hail mary' pass with his speech last night, and there is no receiver down field? Funny how they have nothing to say about my Richard Perle question. Cat got your tongue? Nothing to say?

2007-01-10 22:32:59 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics

we knew each other for 9 months since he was a teacher in my music school.he was a drum teacher and i was a guitar student. so, he wasnt really my teacher. we started "talking and hanging out" or in other words we started being close for about 5 1/2 months. yes, i like him and he likes me. but we agreed not to push it since im too young. but then, for the 1st time, i went out with him alone. we went to the movies and yes,we kissed. a lot.. also in his car.. i have no regrets in doing it at all but, its just shameful.. we agreed not to tell anyone though. although my best friend knows.. what do you guys think i should do? by the way, im 15 and the guy is 30+

2007-01-10 22:32:31 · 29 answers · asked by Jules 1 in Singles & Dating

condensed milk, milo and butter melted together in the microwave. Artery clogging goodness.

2007-01-10 22:32:28 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Polls & Surveys

How easy is it to sell a house when not in the country? I spoke to a local estate agent about it. He said it is quite easy, the estate agent and solicitor will sort everything out as long as I sign certain forms/paperwork. Is it really that easy? I assume there will extra costs involved.

2007-01-10 22:32:26 · 7 answers · asked by dylan_angelart 1 in Other - Home & Garden

2007-01-10 22:32:22 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Polls & Surveys

2007-01-10 22:32:20 · 1 answers · asked by Bob Mmari 1 in History

2007-01-10 22:32:19 · 13 answers · asked by suble 2 in Psychology

All this new technology is coming out which says wires aren't needed anymore... Think about it... We can do so much wirelessly now, but I think we have never needed wires more. Sure, people will say, look around. We can create wireless networks, mobile phones, laptops, even your mouse and keyboard probably arent wired to you pc.

Still, wire make up every part of technology. Without them, we wouldn't be able to do the wireless stuff. You PC has thousands of wires in it, as does your mobile, even your keyboard. So to say that wires are becoming unnecessary is a lie, we depend on them.

2007-01-10 22:32:16 · 7 answers · asked by Moje 2 in Other - Electronics

2007-01-10 22:32:10 · 32 answers · asked by parul k 1 in Other - Beauty & Style

Which type of art (as in drawings or paintings) do you prefer?
Classic black and white
or
colored

2007-01-10 22:32:00 · 14 answers · asked by honeysuckle 3 in Polls & Surveys

Can a goalie be called for a high stick if he hits a player in the face while trying to make a save? Assuming that the puck was in the air above the crossbar, but would sink and go in the net just under it. The goalie is in the crease, but the player is not.

2007-01-10 22:31:59 · 11 answers · asked by Dan J 3 in Hockey

2007-01-10 22:31:59 · 21 answers · asked by McQ 3 in Politics

this computer isnt 2 months old . but all of a sudden theres no sound. what could of happened to it?a message about ac 97 or soundman exe.keeps popping up. so where do i find it ?could it be on a aol cd

2007-01-10 22:31:57 · 4 answers · asked by mzswales 2 in Software

2007-01-10 22:31:07 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Television

I have designed this page for selling my products online, would you mind taking a quick look and tell me what you think, or more importantly what do you think could make it better?

http://www.gmcustomcomputers.net/silver1_ebay.htm

2007-01-10 22:30:59 · 6 answers · asked by gerard mcmanus 2 in Internet